Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts on Thursday, May 22 encouraged citizens to implement common-sense measures to remove opportunities for criminals to break into motor vehicles. So far this year, the number of thefts from motor vehicles reported to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department has increased by 14 percent, compared with the same time period in 2013.

In many cases, criminals seized opportunities to unlawfully enter motor vehicles that were left unlocked, with valuable items left in plain view from outside the vehicles, Metts said. In cases where criminals broke into locked motor vehicles, the vehicles contained purses, wallets, cellular telephones, computers, Global Positioning System devices and other valuable items that were left in plain view. Valuable items should be removed from motor vehicles or stored in a locked glove compartment or trunk in a vehicle.

So far this year, thefts from motor vehicles most frequently have occurred in housing subdivisions, Metts said. A total of 342 thefts from motor vehicles have been reported to the Sheriff’s Department so far this year, compared with 300 thefts from motor vehicles being reported to the Sheriff’s Department during the same time period in 2013.

“I encourage citizens to use common sense and not leave valuable items, such as cellular phones, laptop computers and portable compact disc players, in plain view in their vehicles,” Metts said. “Citizens can remove opportunities for thieves to commit break-ins by storing valuable items in the trunk or glove compartments of their vehicles.”

Citizens who have experienced thefts from motor vehicles that were parked at their homes can contact the Sheriff’s Department at (803) 785-8230 and request that their homes be placed on a property checklist maintained by the Sheriff’s Department, Metts said. Deputies who are assigned to road patrol drive by homes on the checklist every 24 hours to check whether any thefts have occurred. Deputies will check on any home that is owned by a citizen who will be away from their property for an extended period of time.